Apparatus and method for applying cosmetics

ABSTRACT

An applicator suitable for applying cosmetics, such as mascara, to eyelashes includes a comb portion for applying the mascara and simultaneously separating the eyelashes. The applicator has a handle and is constructed so that it may be inserted into and withdrawn from an opening defined in a cosmetic container. A coupling arrangement is provided for securing the applicator in the container opening and a seal arrangement including a resilient lip closes the container to prevent leakage. The lip is mounted adjacent the container opening and functions as a wiper to remove excess mascara from the applicator as it is withdrawn.

1 United States Patent 91 Montgomery et a1.

[ 1 Oct. 9, 1973 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING COSMETICS [73]Assignee: Max Factor & Co., Hollywood,

Calif.

22 Filed: Aug. 2, 1971 211 App]. No.': 167,979

[52] US. Cl. 132/85 [51] Int. Cl A45d 44/18 [58] Field of Search 132/85,88.7, 79,

l32/33.l, 73, ll, 1, 9, 32.3, 31.2, 159, 120; 401/118-30; 128/267, 285,260; 15/521,

2,829,655 4/1958 Bau 132/85 3,133,546 5/1964 Dent 132/120 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 975,037 10/1950 France 401/122 PrimaryExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeillAttorney-Huebner & Worrel [57] ABSTRACT An applicator suitable forapplying cosmetics, such as mascara, to eyelashes includes a combportion for applying the mascara and simultaneously separating theeyelashes. The applicator has a handle and is constructed so that it maybe inserted into and withdrawn from an opening defined in a cosmeticcontainer. A coupling arrangement is provided for securing theapplicator in the container opening and a seal arrangement including aresilient lip closes the container to prevent leakage. The lip ismounted adjacent the container opening and functions as a wiper toremove excess mascara from the applicator as it is withdrawn.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUBT 9191s 3.763.870

SHEFT 20F 2 INVENTOES Roe/N M. MONTGOMEEQ/ 60200 E. MESS/V52 34M adAPPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING COSMETICS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the application of cosmetics and moreparticularly to an improved apparatus and method for applying cosmetics,such as mascara, to eyelashes.

Heretofore, applicator devices employing brushes, screw threads or felttips have commonly been used by women to apply mascara to theireyelashes. With such devices, the women generally brushed or rotated themascara carrying device against the eyelashes, thereby SUMMARY OFTHE-INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention toprovide an improved apparatus and method for applying cosmetics, such asmascara and the like, to eyelashes which is characterized by beingeffective to apply the mascara in a uniform manner while simultaneouslyseparating the eyelashes from each other.

It is, further, an object of the present invention to provide anapplicator for applying mascara and the like to eyelashes which includesa comb portion for applying the mascara.

It is, additionally, an object of the present invention to provide animproved apparatus for applying mascara and the like to eyelashes whichis characterized by including a comb applicator, a container for holdingthe cosmetic to be applied, an improved wiper arrangement for removingexcess mascara from the applicator, and an improved seal arrangement forclosing the cosmetic container.

In accomplishing these and other objects, there is provided inaccordance with the present invention an applicator including comb andhandle portions. The

comb portion is for applying mascara to the eyelashes whilesimultaneously separating the eyelashes and the handle portion is forgripping the applicator. A cosmetic container is provided having neckstructure defining an opening in the container which opening isdimensioned so that the applicator comb portion may be inserted thereinand withdrawn therefrom. Wiper means in the form of a resilient flexiblelip which substantially conforms to the applicators cross-section ismounted within the container adjacent the container opening for wipingand removing excess mascara from the applicator. An arrangement is alsoprovided for detachably securing the applicator in the container openingand a dual seal arrangement is included to prevent the leakage ofmascara from the container when closed.

Additional objects of the present invention reside in the specificconstruction of the exemplary apparatus for applying cosmetics toeyelashes hereinafter particulurly described in the specification andshown in the several drawings and its method of operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of acosmetic applicator according to the present invention when not in usewith its applicator and cosmetic container parts being releasablysecured together;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1illustrating the applicator being withdrawn from the cosmetic container;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the neck portion of the cosmetic containerof the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the comb portion of the applicatorbeing withdrawn through the wiper mechanism mounted adjacent the openingdefined in the cosmetic container;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 illustrates use of the applicator for applying cosmetics toeyelashes;

FIG. 9 is a view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to thedrawings in more detail, there is shown in FIG. 1 a cosmetic applicatorapparatus generally designated by the numeral 11. The apparatus 11includes a cosmetic container part 13 and an applicator part 15. Theapparatus 11 is shown not in use in FIG. 1 with the applicator part 15releasably or detachably secured upon the cosmetic container part 13 bybeing screwed thereon.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 13 is preferablymade in the form of a hollow cylindrical structure having its ends 17closed and neck structure 19 formed at its other end which defines anopening in the container. The neck 19 is formed on the container 13 toextend outwardly therefrom preferably along the axis of the cylindricaltubular container 13. Secured within the neck 19 is a fitting 21 whichis preferably made of resilient and flexible rubber. The fitting 21 isdimensioned to tightly mate with the inner surfaces of the containerneck 19 and has spaced apart annular rims or flanges 23 and 25 formedthereon which are interconnected by a tubular sleeve portion 26. Thesleeve portion 26 defines the effective size of the opening of thecontainer 13. The rims 23 and 25 seat, respectively, against the innerand outer ends of the container neck 19, thereby to hold the fitting 21securely in the neck 19 in a sealing relationship therewith.

The opening of the cosmetic container 13 is appropriately dimensionedfor receiving the applicator end of the applicator 15 so that theapplicator 15 may be inserted into the container 13 and withdrawntherefrom. The applicator 15, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes a combportion 27, a handle portion 29, and a rod portion 31 whichinterconnects the handle and comb portions. The rod portion 31 ispreferably a substantially straight cylindrically shaped rod. The comb27 is preferably formed integral with the rod 31 on one end thereof withthe longitudinal dimension of the comb 27 aligned with the longitudinaldimension of the rod 31. The width of the comb 27 is preferably largerthan the width of the rod 31 and a connecting part 33 of the comb 27 isshaped to expand in a gradual continuous manner from one side of theperipheral surface of the rod 31 to the base 35 of the comb 27.

The comb 27 has a row of similarly shaped aligned teeth 37 mounted onthe base 35 to extend transversely to the longitudinal dimension of thecomb 27. The comb teeth 37, with are better shown in FIG. 10, preferablytaper, both in the longitudinal and transverse directions, from theirbases to their tips and have a width at their bases which is less thanthe width of the comb base 35. The teeth 37 are appropriately spacedapart along the comb base 35 and are appropriately sized so that theyare suitable for use in combing eyelashes. The comb 27 is formed on therod 31 with the tips of its aligned teeth 37 inalignment with the sideof the peripheral surface of the rod 31 diametrically opposite to theexpanding comb part 33. The comb base 35 is preferably formed to have asemi-cylindrical outer periphery. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the dimensionof the comb 27 across its flat dimension or width is designed to beslightly less than the width of the container opening defined by thefitting 21 so that the comb 35 may be easily inserted into and withdrawnfrom the neck of the container 13.

Formed on the other end of the rod 31 is a rigid annular flange 39. Theflange 39 is preferably formed integral with the rod 31 and is designedto mate as a valve with the resilient rim 25 of the fitting 21. Theresilient rim 25 functions as a resilient washer means and forms aconcave valve seat. The flange 39 has its peripheral edge formed in aconvex shape so that the valve it forms mates in a sealing relationshipwith the valve seat provided by the rim 25 by forcing the resilient rim25 outward. Thereby, the applicator may be secured on the container neck19 by being screwed thereon since any tendency of the fitting 21 beingforced or screwed into the interior of the container 13 by rotation ofthe flange 39 is counteracted by the outward force applied by the convexedge of the flange 39 against the resilient rim 25.

Mounting structure 41 is also formed on the end of the rod 31 to extendfrom the rigid flange 39 away from the rod 31. The mounting structure 41is preferably shaped like a collar and provides an arrangement uponwhich the applicator handle portion 29 may be secured. The handleportion 29 is shown secured on the structure 41 in FIG. 2. To attach theapplicator 15 on the container 13, a coupling arrangement or means isprovided by forming male threads 43 around the outer periphery of thecontainer neck 19 and forming female threads 45 in the inner cap-likeportion of the handle 29 which surrounds the rod 31. The female threads45 are designed to mate with the male threads 43 so that the applicator15 may be releasably or detachably secured upon the container 13 byscrewing the handle portion 29 on the threaded neck 19.

The interior of the container 13 is filled with mascara 47 or anothersimilar type of cosmetic. The comb 27 is immersed in the mascara 47whenever the applicator 15 is secured upon the container 13 in themanner shown in FIG. 2. In order to remove mascara from the rod portion31 and excess mascara from the comb por tion 27 of the applicator 15, awiper mechanism or means 49 is formed on the inner end of the fitting21. The wiper 49 is preferably formed by a thin rubber lip which is bothresilient and flexible. The wiper lip 49 is located at or adjacent tothe container opening defined by the neck 19, is recessed and protrudesinto the container 13 so that mascara wiped from the applicator 15 isnot splattered around the outer edge of the container neck 19. The wiper49 has an appropriately sized hole therein through which the comb androd portion of the applicator 15 may be inserted. The size of the wiperopening is preferably not larger than the smallest crosssectionaldimension of the rod 31. Thereby, the edges 50 of the wiper hole wipe atall times against the comb and rod portions of the applicator 15 as theapplicator 15 is withdrawn from or inserted into the container 13.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rod 31 is formed to be narrowest adjacentthe comb part 33 and to enlarge or expand slightly and gradually towardsthe handle 29. Thereby, when the applicator 15 is secured upon thecontainer 13, as shown in FIG. 2, the opening of the wiper 49 isstretched sufficiently by the enlarged end of the rod 31 to bear tightlythereagainst and form a seal therewith. It is noted that the rod 31 andthe opening of the wiper 49 are both preferably made cylindrical inshape while the comb 27 is preferably formed to have a substantiallyflat shape.

Commercially, the applicator apparatus 11 may be sold in its closed orassembled form as shown in FIG. 1. A woman may then apply mascara to hereyelashes in the following manner. The applicator handle 29 is grippedand the applicator 15 is unscrewed from the neck of the container 13.Once unscrewed, the applicator 15 is withdrawn from the container 13 bypulling the rod and comb portions of the applicator 15 out of thefitting 21 mounted in the container neck 19. It is noted that since thecomb portion 27 of the applicator has been immersed in the mascara 47within the container 13 that mascara is thus loaded between the teeth ofthe comb 27.

As the applicator 15 is withdrawn from the neck of the container 13, theresilient wiper 49 wipes against the rod 31 of the applicator 15. Asshown in FIG. 5, the wiper opening which conforms to the shape of theapplicator 15 is initially in a substantially circular shape as thereshown. As the applicator 15 is withdrawn, the wiper 49 remainssubstantially in the position shown in FIG. 2 wiping mascara from therod 31 until the comb portion of the applicator is reached. As the combportion 27 is withdrawn through the container neck, the expanding widthof the part 33 of the comb causes the resilient wiper lip 49 to bepulled in a direction as shown in FIG. 3. The wiper 49 is thus drawninto the fitting 21 and container neck 19 as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, it is there seen that the opening of the wiper 49is stretched by the comb part 33 to assume an oval shape. The wiper 49,however, since it conforms to the shape of the part 33, still functionsto wipe mascara from that part of the applicator 15. As the comb base 35is drawn into the container neck, the opening of the wiper 49 assumesthe shape shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the portion of the wiper49 adjacent the base of the comb 35 wipes against the semi-cylindricalouter periphery of the base 35 to remove mascara therefrom and alsobears against the tips of the comb teeth 37 to remove excess mascaratherefrom. The resilient wiper 49, however, does not wipe against thesides of the comb teeth 37 since the width of the comb base 35 is widerthan the width of the base of the teeth 37. Thereby, the wiper 49 doesnot disturb the mascara loaded between the comb teeth 37.

Once the applicator 15 has been completely removed from the container13, the applicator 15 may be used as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 to applymascara to the eyelashes 51 of an eye 53. The mascara is there shownbeing applied by rotating the comb teeth 37 downward through theeyelashes 51 in FIG. 8. This is one technique for applying mascara toeyelashes. It is, however, noted that all women do not apply mascara inthe same manner so that it should be understood the mascara could alsobe applied by positioning the comb portion 27 of the applicator belowthe eyelashes 51 and rotating the comb teeth 37 upward through theeyelashes 51. Once all the mascara carried by the comb 27 has beenapplied, the comb portion 27 of the applicator may be re-inserted intoand then withdrawn from the container 13 to load more mascara thereon.

By applying the mascara 47 in the manner just described, a uniformcircumferential application of mascara to'eyelashes is accomplished bydrawing the eyelashes 51 through mascara embedded or loaded between theteeth 37 of the comb 27. Further, since the teeth are spaced apart in anappropriate manner for combing eyelashes, the eyelashes 51 are alsoautomati cally and simultaneously separated from each other by applyingmascara in this manner.

Once the mascara has been applied, the applicator 15 may be re-insertedinto the container 13. The handle 29 is then screwed on the containerneck 19 to close the cosmetic container 13. With the applicator l5tightly secured on the container neck 19, a double seal arrangement isprovided to prevent mascara leakage. The first seal is provided by matedresilient rim 25 and flange 39. The second seal is provided by the'wiperlip 49 which bears against the outer periphery of the applicator rod 31.lt is also noted that the resilient rim 23 functions like a washer toprevent mascara leakage between the fitting sleeve 26 and the containerneck 19. It is further noted that the cosmetic container 13 and theapplicator part 15 are preferably formed of plastic by a relativelyinexpensive molding process so that the entire apparatus 11 may bedisposed of after the mascara contained therein has been used.

Thus, there has been provided an improved apparatus and method forapplying mascara and like cosmetics to eyelashes.

Although we have herein shown and described our invention in what wehave conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment it isrecognized that departures may be made within the scope of ourinvention.

We claim:

1. A cosmetic package for use in the application of mascara toeyelashes, comprising: I

a. a container having mascara therein, said container being providedwith an access opening;

b. an applicator including a comb portion, a handle portion, and a rodportion interconnecting said handle and comb portions, the rod portionincluding a major length of annular cross section and a minor transitionlength merging from annular cross section to a flatteneed cross sectionat the comb portion, the flattened cross section having a peripheraledge aligned with the periphery of the annular cross section, said combportion and rod portions being removably inserted in said containerthrough said opening to immerse said comb portion in said mascara, saidcomb portion having a plurality of elongated teeth extending from a baseportion at one side to the tips of said teeth at the other side todefine a cross-sectional configuration which is relatively elongated inone dimension and relatively thin in the other dimension, the combportion having a cross section generally flatter than the annular crosssection of the rod and corresponding in general to the flattened crosssection of the transition length of the rod and its periphery beinggreater than that of the annular cross section of the .rod; and

c. wiper means mounted on said container adjacent said container openingfor wiping the rod and comb portions of said applicator as they arewithdrawn from said container to remove mascara from said applicator rodportion and remove excess mascara from said applicator comb portion,said wiper means including a frusto conical annular lip of a resilient,elastic and flexible material converging inwardly of the container withits terminal inner edge surface in complete contact encirclement of therod when the applicator is in place in the container and defining astretchable opening through which said applicator is inserted andwithdrawn, said lip being axially reversible by withdrawal of theapplicator to position the reversed surface of the lip in completewiping encirclement of the transition length of the rod and beingresiliently deformed and stretched by the latter to an elongated slotconfiguration conforming generally to the peripheral surface of the combportion in contact wiping relationship with the base and tips of theteeth thereof and in general wiping relationship to the edges of theteeth as the comb portion passes outwardly through the wiper means,whereby excess mascara is removed from said comb portion, the tips ofsaid teeth being aligned with the periphery of the major length of saidrod and the aligned peripheral edge of the flattened cross section ofthe transition length thereof whereby said rod imitates the form ofthe'slot configuration and tends to control the amount of flexing of theteeth when the applicator is withdrawn through said wiper means.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein:

neck structure is formed on said container to define said containeropening;

said comb portion gradually expands from said rod portion to apredetermined width greater than the diameter of said rod portion andhas a longitudinally extending base upon which is formed one row ofspaced apart teeth having their tips aligned with the periphery of saidrod portion, said comb base having a width larger than the base of saidteeth and said teeth tapering from their base to their tips; and

said lip is recessed within said container and formed to protrudetowards the interior of said container whereby as said comb portion iswithdrawn from said container through said lip opening said lip is drawninto said container neck structure as it wipes said comb portion.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, wherein the diameter of saidapplicator rod portion gradually expands v sitioned exteriorally of saidcontainer and its rod and comb portions positioned within said containerso as to immerse the comb portion in the mascara contained therein.

1. A cosmetic package for use in the application of mascara toeyelashes, comprising: a. a container having mascara therein, saidcontainer being provided with an access opening; b. an applicatorincluding a comb portion, a handle portion, and a rod portioninterconnecting said handle and comb portions, the rod portion includinga major length of annular cross section and a minor transition lengthmerging from annular cross section to a flattened cross section at thecomb portion, the flattened cross section having a peripheral edgealigned with the periphery of the annular cross section, said combportion and rod portions being removably inserted in said containerthrough said opening to immerse said comb portion in said mascara, saidcomb portion having a plurality of elongated teeth extending from a baseportion at one side to the tips of said teeth at the other side todefine a cross-sectional configuration which is relatively elongated inone dimension and relatively thin in the other dimension, the combportion having a cross section generally flatter than the annular crosssection of the rod and corresponding in general to the flattened crosssection of the transition length of the rod and its periphery beinggreater than that of the annular cross section of the rod; and c. wipermeans mounted on said container adjacent said container opening forwiping the rod and comb portions of said applicator as they arewithdrawn from said container to remove mascara from said applicator rodportion and remove excess mascara from said applicator comb portion,said wiper means including a frusto conical annular lip of a resilient,elastic and flexible material converging inwardly of the container withits terminal inner edge surface in complete contact encirclement of therod when the applicator is in place in the container and defining astretchable opening through which said applicator is inserted andwithdrawn, said lip being axially reversible by withdrawal of theapplicator to position the reversed surface of the lip in completewiping encirclement of the transition length of the rod and beingresiliently deformed and stretched by the latter to an elongated slotconfiguration conforming generally to the peripheral surface of the combportion in contact wiping relationship with the base and tips of theteeth thereof and in general wiping relationship to the edges of theteeth as the comb portion passes outwardly through the wiper means,whereby excess mascara is removed from said comb portion, the tips ofsaid teeth being aligned with the periphery of the major length of saidrod and tHe aligned peripheral edge of the flattened cross section ofthe transition length thereof whereby said rod imitates the form of theslot configuration and tends to control the amount of flexing of theteeth when the applicator is withdrawn through said wiper means.
 2. Theinvention defined in claim 1, wherein: neck structure is formed on saidcontainer to define said container opening; said comb portion graduallyexpands from said rod portion to a predetermined width greater than thediameter of said rod portion and has a longitudinally extending baseupon which is formed one row of spaced apart teeth having their tipsaligned with the periphery of said rod portion, said comb base having awidth larger than the base of said teeth and said teeth tapering fromtheir base to their tips; and said lip is recessed within said containerand formed to protrude towards the interior of said container whereby assaid comb portion is withdrawn from said container through said lipopening said lip is drawn into said container neck structure as it wipessaid comb portion.
 3. The invention defined in claim 2, wherein thediameter of said applicator rod portion gradually expands in thedirection from said comb portion to said handle portion.
 4. Theinvention defined in claim 1 wherein there is provided coupling meansfor releasably securing said applicator on said container with itshandle portion positioned exteriorally of said container and its rod andcomb portions positioned within said container so as to immerse the combportion in the mascara contained therein.